PCD Model Viewer
Open and inspect pcd files directly in your browser. No installation.
Point Cloud Library point clouds for LiDAR and robotics.
Drop your PCD file here
Upload a PCD file or ZIP package to inspect your point cloud.
Inspect Point Cloud Library Data From Robotics Pipelines
PCD is the native format of the Point Cloud Library, and it shows up constantly in robotics, sensor and photogrammetry pipelines in both organized and unorganized layouts. GLBKit renders that point data on the GPU in the browser, so you can check a capture without spinning up a ROS environment just to look at it.
Built for Robotics and LiDAR
Reads PCD point clouds as produced by the Point Cloud Library, common in robotics pipelines.
Organized and Unorganized
Handles both structured (organized) and unstructured PCD point cloud layouts.
GPU Point Cloud Rendering
Keeps dense scan data navigable without lag.
No ROS Setup Needed
Get a quick look at a .pcd file without spinning up a robotics toolchain.
Local Processing
Point cloud data is parsed on-device, not uploaded.
Useful for Field Data
Good for a fast check on sensor captures before further processing.
About this format
PCD (Point Cloud Data) is the native format of the Point Cloud Library (PCL), the de facto open source library for 3D perception. It stores point clouds from LiDAR, depth cameras, photogrammetry, and robotics sensors. GLBKit renders .pcd files in the browser so you can inspect point clouds from robotics, autonomous driving, and research pipelines without writing code.
What is a .pcd file?
.pcd is the native point cloud format of the Point Cloud Library. It can be ASCII or binary, and it stores per-point fields like x/y/z, intensity, RGB color, and custom sensor data.
PCD is the standard exchange format in PCL-based pipelines, which dominate robotics, autonomous driving, and 3D perception research.
- Point cloud format from the Point Cloud Library
- ASCII or binary, with per-point fields (x/y/z, intensity, RGB)
- Standard in robotics, autonomous driving, 3D perception
- Open format, widely used in research and industry
Common uses for PCD files
PCD is everywhere in 3D perception. If you work with LiDAR, depth cameras, or photogrammetry, you have probably encountered PCD.
- Robotics and autonomous driving point clouds
- LiDAR, depth camera, and photogrammetry data
- 3D perception research and benchmarking
- SLAM, mapping, and localisation pipelines
How GLBKit renders .pcd files
GLBKit parses the PCD header and point data in the browser and renders the point cloud with WebGL. Color fields are preserved when present, so the cloud looks the way it was captured.
- Drop a .pcd file to start
- Orbit, pan, and zoom with mouse, touch, or pen
- Point coordinates and RGB color preserved
- No upload, no signup, fully local processing
GLBKit capabilities for .pcd
GLBKit is a viewer for PCD point clouds. You can inspect geometry and color, but you cannot run algorithms like segmentation or registration in the viewer.
- Point cloud rendering with RGB color where the file provides it
- Efficient rendering for large point clouds
- Inspect clouds from robotics and LiDAR pipelines
- Process files locally in the browser
Who uses GLBKit for .pcd files
PCD is the format of 3D perception. GLBKit is the easiest way to inspect a point cloud without writing a PCL program.
- Robotics and autonomous driving engineers
- LiDAR and photogrammetry specialists
- 3D perception researchers
- SLAM and mapping developers
Open your .pcd file now
Drop a .pcd file into the viewer. Inspect point clouds from robotics and LiDAR in seconds.
Related viewers
LAS Viewer
Render airborne and terrestrial LiDAR .las files used in surveying and GIS.
LAZ Viewer
Open the compressed .laz variant of LAS for large LiDAR datasets.
PLY Viewer
Open the Polygon File Format used by 3D scanners and research tools.
3D Model Viewer
Switch between any supported format in a single universal viewer.
How to Open PCD Files Online
Learn how to open, view, and inspect PCD (Point Cloud Data) files online using the GLBKit PCD Model Viewer.
- Upload your PCD fileDrag and drop your .pcd file into the GLBKit viewer or click the upload button to select a PCD file from your device.
- Load the PCD dataGLBKit loads supported PCD point cloud data directly in your browser using WebGL.
- Explore the 3D dataRotate, zoom, and pan around the point cloud to inspect the data from different viewing angles.
- Inspect PCD attributesExamine supported PCD attributes such as vertex positions, and per-point colors displayed by the viewer.
- Preview your PCD assetInspect point cloud data directly in your browser without installing dedicated 3D software.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about opening PCD point clouds in the browser.